This Japanese robot that can detect human emotions sold out in one minute

Pepper, a robot capable of detecting human emotions, sold out in under
a minute at the weekend, as Japanese consumers raced to be one of
the first to own the "robot with a heart".

Softbank, which developed the humanoid machine and announced it
last year, said it had sold the first batch of 1,000 robots
online in the first 60 seconds they were on sale.

Pepper, which costs 198,000 yen (around $1,583) plus monthly
service and insurance fees, is capable of recognising feelings
such as anger, joy and sadness. Including the other fees, the
cost of owning one is around 1.2m yen ($9,498) over three years.

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It then reacts accordingly, providing companionship for those who
do not have it, or are simply curious about the latest robotic
developments.

The robot has been designed to help address Japan's rapidly
ageing population. The median age in the country is 46 - one of
the world's highest - and its birth rate has slumped to a record
low.